The Sacramento Tree Foundation is currently recruiting volunteer Acorn Harvesters to assist in the Fall 2010 acorn harvest. According to their website, "The Tree Foundation is committed to maintaining the natural heritage of the Sacramento region by growing locally adapted, genetically appropriate native trees. In October and November 2010 we will be collecting 50,000 acorns to be grown for tree planting efforts throughout the Sacramento region." Additionally acorns are one of the most important wildlife foods in areas where oaks occur. Squirrels and other small urban mammals depend upon acorns for nutrition as do some species of bird including jays and pigeons. Harvester Training will

New life is coming out of old trees in Sacramento. A foothills woodcarver is finishing a prototype for a collectible wood baseball bat made from a tulip poplar loved by generations as it stood on state Capitol grounds for 129 years. Two Mendocino brothers created a seven-foot-tall abstract tree sculpture from another part of the tree. And a Sacramento sculptor is working on a free-form chair from a California black walnut that marked the site of an old wagon trail for at least 140 years. The wood remains of these old trees are being turned into art, furniture and other new projects to benefit the Legacy Trees Project. Sponsored by nonprofit Sacramento Education Events for Art, the proj

Approximately 10:30 p.m. Fri. May 22.  My girlfriend and I were entering our car parked on the corner of 14th and Q Streets after enjoying some portabella and tofu burgers at Burgers and Brew.  A loud crack rang through the night air drawing my attention.  Seconds later a second crack followed, this time louder.  I surveyed the street wondering if I heard a minor car accident when the unique sound of splitting wood occurred. I watched as a branch, at least 15 feet in length with several large branches attached to it fell 50 ft. to the street landing directly on the hood of a car.  We walked around, amazed at what we had just witnessed, when I noticed a sign posted on the street directly

Tonight the City of Sacramento Urban Forest Services Committee met to receive and comment on proposed changes to the tree appeals process. The proposed changes would move appealed tree removal hearings from the Parks and Recreation Commission to the Planning Commission. The meeting was civil but contentious. Representatives from Winn Park Neighborhood Association and Newton Booth Neighborhood Association attended to present letters from their boards opposed to the ordinance change. Committee members expressed mixed views of the change. This was a "receive and comment" meeting so there were no official votes on actions. But an unofficial vote on whether to recommend the proposed ordinance

Joe Benassini, the Manager of Urban Forestry Services for the City of Sacramento, responded to citizens concerned about the tree on 16th street coming down with this public email: All; The tree in question was removed as a part of the improved streetscape adjacent to the Hot Italian restaurant. The tree had a major limb failure and had other structural problems that might not have been apparent to a passer by. The City Arborist made the call to remove and replace the tree and include an irrigation system in an effort to improve the canopy cover, not to lessen it. The cost of removal and replacement was borne by the applicant, not the city. The fact that the tree was not posted was an ove

A friend of mine wrote an email wondering about another tree going down in our city: A neighbor called me to tell me that a healthy Liquid Amber on the east side of 16th street across from Fremont Park was suddenly cut down. Neighbors around there did not know it was going to be cut down because the city failed to post a removal sign! I have also heard that UFS plans to remove ALL Liquid Ambers. Is this how they plan to do it--in secrecy? Further, why are we spending money on removal of healthy trees when we are far behind on replanting? There is some kind of remodeling/building going on there. Is that the reason? Please find out why this happened and is this city policy now? If anyon

I received this letter representing Newton Booth Neighborhood Association's opposition to the proposed change of the tree appeals process. The process of change is being rapidly pushed along. I have a feeling there would be more opposition if there were more time, more review, or more media coverage. Normally, I would not post this kind of letter directly. I want neighborhood associations to speak for themselves using our tools. But because time is short and there is a meeting Monday, December 8th 5:30 pm I feel I have to post this letter. More information is here, here, and here. Newton Booth Neighborhoods Association P.O. Box 161466 Sacramento, CA 95816-1466 www.newtonbooth.org Decem

I've just learned that city management is planning  to move the appeal process to cut down trees from the Parks and Recreation Commission to the Planning Commission on all development related issues!!!  This would apply to ALL developer projects. Why is this bad?  This change will enable Development Services Manager and staff (who have no expertise in trees) to order removal of healthy shade trees any time a developer wants them removed.   The public  would have to appeal to the Planning Commission instead of the Parks and Recreation Commission.  A tree would not have to be in the way of construction.  It could be that the developer wants all new or fewer trees bordering the new building.